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Quercetin enhances sexual behavior and improves ectonucleotidases activity in the hypothalamus of rats treated with cyclosporine
Author(s) -
Olabiyi Ayodeji Augustine,
AlliSmith Yemisi Rufina,
Ukwenya Victor Okoliko
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of food biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.507
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1745-4514
pISSN - 0145-8884
DOI - 10.1111/jfbc.13864
Subject(s) - nutraceutical , functional food , conceptualization , library science , medicine , psychology , philosophy , pathology , computer science , linguistics
In order to confirm the erectile potential of Quercetin (Q) in cyclosporine‐induced hypertensive rats, this research assesses the influence of Q on the ectonucleotidases and adenosine deaminase (ADA) in the brains of rats. Male Wistar rats (200 g–250 g) were divided into five groups at random: Normal control (CTRL), cyclosporine‐induced hypertensive rats (25 mg kg day –1 ) (HT) group, positive control (Sildenafil [SIL], 5 mg kg day –1 ), Quercetin 25 mg kg day –1 (25 Q), and Quercetin 50 mg kg day –1 (50 Q). Aside from standard diet‐fed male rats; cyclosporine was given i.p for the period of 30 days as well as Q orally while the female rats were only given a standard diet. The animals were subjected to sexual activity (copulation) after which the male rat hypothalamus was dissected for biochemical examination (E‐NTPDase activities, ecto‐5ʹ‐nucleotidase as well as ADA and also levels of nitric oxide [NO]). We observed that Q enhanced copulatory behavior as evident in mounting, intromission, ejaculation numbers, and latencies. A substantial ( p < .05) increase in the activity of E‐NTPDase (ATP and ADP as substrate) without any notable difference in the action of ecto‐5ʹ nucleotidase was facilitated by cyclosporine‐induction when compared to the CTRL. The 50 mg/kg, however, had the highest reversal effect in accordance with dose manner. Also, cyclosporine increased ADA activity with a concomitant reduction of NO level while both doses of Q down‐regulated ADA activity and, increased NO levels. Enhanced sexual behavior, modulation of ectonucleotidases as well as ADA activity and increased NO levels suggest that Q‐rich plant foods may be promising sources of dietary phytonutrients for erectile dysfunction (ED) management. Practical applications Behavioral and biochemical assays evaluated showed that Q significantly enhanced sexual behavior as well as improved ATP bioavailability in cyclosporine‐induced erectile dysfunctional rats. The modulatory effects of Q on ectonucleotidases, along with its ability to minimize adenosine deaminase activity and increase nitric oxide levels, indicate that Q‐rich plants and/or plant foods may be promising sources of dietary phytonutrients for erectile dysfunction management.